Study of the prevalence of sodium and potassium disturbances in the elderly

ABSTRACT

Background: Electrolyte disturbances establish a broad problem among old individuals. A medication adverse effect that in youngsters would deliver just a trifling change in the plasma sodium and potassium may cause a major serious effect in the older, mostly because of aging. This study was directed to assess the commonness of sodium and potassium disturbances in the old. Methods: A Cross-sectional study was completed among old patients who were regular visitors to Internal Medicine Department outpatient clinics of the Zagazig University from February 2018 to February 2019. This examination included 100 older patients. Results: Our examination revealed the predominance of hypokalemia was 17% and hyperkalemia was 25%. While hyponatremia was 32% and hypernatremia was 4%. Diuretics were the most affecting medication on potassium and sodium levels. No significant difference was found in age among potassium and sodium gatherings. Conclusion: In this study, we found that disturbances in the sodium and potassium are commonly found in the old and a few sorts of medications are assosciated with these disturbances however diuretics were the most commonly to be found. Different components, including polypharmacy , disabled organ work and numerous ailments, put them at a more serious danger of medication induced changes in electrolyte homeostasis. Specialists should know about this hazard and screen both medication records and sodium and potassium levels ,so as to counteract and deal with these disturbances that may some way or another further affect the health of these old and frail patients